Business leaders, professionals and public officials gathered at Sa Capella on Friday for the launch of Forbes Baleares in Ibiza. The publication, part of SpainMedia and launched in April, presented an issue focused on leadership and the Balearic Islands’ business community.
Andrés Rodríguez, president of SpainMedia and publisher of Forbes España, and Vicent Marí, president of the Ibiza Island Council, led the gathering. Representatives from sectors including tourism, fashion, hospitality, leisure and culture were also in attendance.
In his address, Marí highlighted the economic activity that often goes unnoticed behind the island’s best-known international image.
“Ibiza is a globally recognised brand and, although we are sometimes viewed from the outside through an overly narrow lens, shaped by clichés and stereotypes, behind that image are family businesses, entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals, skilled workers and employees who have built ventures, created jobs and contributed to the progress of this island and this country,” he said.
Building a Bridge Between Ibiza and Mainland Spain
The president of the Ibiza Island Council expressed his hope that the publication would give greater visibility to the people and businesses driving initiatives across the island.
“Ibiza has talent, initiative and some very good projects that deserve to be told about and recognised,” he said.
Rodríguez described the magazine’s launch as an opportunity to bring a fuller picture of Ibiza to audiences across Spain.
“It is tremendously exciting to establish a bridge between mainland Spain and the island,” he said.
He also highlighted Ibiza’s international identity, noting that mainland Spain does not always fully understand what makes the island distinctive.
“We want to build a bridge in every sense, because I believe Ibiza can have a presence on the mainland, and the mainland can help Ibiza,” he added.
Juan Suárez, Forbes Baleares’ representative in Ibiza, linked the magazine’s editorial vision to the island’s cosmopolitan character, gastronomy, tourism and cultural offering.
Fashion, Hotels, Leisure and Culture Represented
The launch brought together a broad cross-section of Ibiza’s business and social communities. Attendees included Charo Ruiz, Elisa Pomar, Virginia Vald, Mónica Maxim, Diego Calvo, Alicia Reina, Sebas Gamboa, Carlos Martorell and Javier Anadón, among others.
Representatives from Pacha Group, Palladium Hotel Group, Concept Hotel Group, OKU Ibiza, Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, W Ibiza, CBbC Group, Beso Beach and Grupo Nassau were also present, alongside Chinois, Beachouse and Zuma.
The gathering also included organisations working in areas such as sustainability, maritime activities, business representation and culture, including Ibiza Preservation, Es Nàutic, Pimeef and Ibicine.
Public-sector representatives included Sant Antoni mayor Marcos Serra; Santa Eulària’s first deputy mayor, Miguel Tur Rubio; Sant Josep’s first deputy mayor, Nieves Bonet; Ibiza Town councillor for commerce and markets Álex Minchiotti; councillor for economic promotion María Fajarnés; and Sant Antoni’s third deputy mayor, Miguel Tur.
A Publication Focused on Business and Lifestyle in the Balearic Islands
Forbes Baleares is part of SpainMedia, the publishing group founded by Andrés Rodríguez in 2007. Its editorial approach combines business and economic reporting with lifestyle coverage, focusing on companies, entrepreneurs and professionals across the islands.
Areas the publication plans to cover include yachting, tourism, sustainability, the circular economy and emerging technologies, reflecting the range of industries shaping the Balearic Islands’ economy.